Blackberry Bars

Blackberry Bars are a delightful treat that fills your kitchen with a warm, fruity aroma as they bake. The combination of a crumbly crust, sweet blackberry filling, and crunchy topping offers a comforting texture that’s hard to resist.

This recipe is straightforward and approachable for any home cook. With just a few steps and common ingredients, you'll create something special that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The “Why” Behind This Recipe

The beauty of Blackberry Bars lies in the balance of textures and flavors. The crumbly crust provides a sturdy base, while the warm, jam-like blackberry filling adds sweetness and moisture. Topping it off with a crunchy oat layer creates a delightful contrast that makes each bite enjoyable. Now, let’s explore the perfect way to serve these bars.

Now that you're set up for success, let's explore each component of this delicious recipe in detail.

Essential Ingredients

To create delicious Blackberry Bars, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted): Sifting helps to aerate the flour, resulting in a lighter crust.
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (uncooked): Use whole oats for a hearty texture that adds fiber and flavor.
• ½ cup brown sugar (packed): The moisture from brown sugar enhances the richness of your crust and topping.
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted): Melted butter allows for an even mix, ensuring a cohesive crust and topping.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors in your bars.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract adds depth and warmth to both the crust and filling.
• 2 cups fresh blackberries (washed and stems removed): Choose ripe, plump blackberries for the best flavor and juiciness in your filling.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the filling while highlighting the natural tartness of the blackberries.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken): Cornstarch helps to thicken the blackberry mixture, preventing it from becoming too runny.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed): Fresh lemon juice brightens the filling, balancing out sweetness with a hint of acidity.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: This second dose of vanilla deepens the flavor profile of your blackberry filling.
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats (uncooked): Additional oats in the topping provide a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the soft filling.
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (sifted): This further aids in binding your topping ingredients together for a perfect crumble.
• ¼ cup brown sugar (packed): Another layer of brown sugar ensures that your topping is sweet and flavorful.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened): Softened butter makes it easier to blend into the dry ingredients for a crumbly topping.
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon: A hint of cinnamon adds warmth and complements the berry flavor beautifully.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Step-by-Step (No Stress)

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for ensuring that the crust bakes evenly. While the oven warms up, gather your ingredients for the crust.

In a mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, uncooked oats, packed brown sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix everything together until you achieve a crumbly texture. It should feel slightly damp but still hold its shape when pressed.

Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch baking pan. Make sure it’s even, as this forms the sturdy base for your Blackberry Bars. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes until it turns lightly golden and releases a warm, inviting aroma.

Next, prepare the blackberry filling by combining fresh blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently for about 5-7 minutes until the blackberries start breaking down and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency.

Once cooked, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly before spreading it evenly over your baked crust. This step ensures that the filling doesn’t disturb the crust's structure as you work.

For the topping, mix together uncooked oats, sifted flour, packed brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon in a separate bowl until you have a crumbly texture. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the blackberry filling for added crunch and delightful texture.

Lastly, place your pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Look for a golden-brown topping that signals it’s done. Once out of the oven, let it cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars to allow everything to set properly.

Now that you've mastered making these Blackberry Bars, let’s explore some delightful serving suggestions!

Now that you have the solutions to common cooking challenges, let's move on to mastering the art of baking these delightful Blackberry Bars.

Budget & Time Tips

To save time while making your Blackberry Bars, consider preparing a double batch of the crust and freezing half for future use. Also, if you have leftover oats from breakfast, use them in the topping for added convenience. Lastly, clean and prep the blackberries while the crust is baking to streamline your process. Transitioning these tips into your routine can help make baking more efficient.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat

You can prepare the Blackberry Bars a day in advance and store them covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. To maintain their texture, reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes before serving. This ensures they remain enjoyable and fresh. Transitioning from preparation to savoring these delightful bars is seamless as you enjoy each bite.

FAQ

How long do Blackberry Bars take to bake?

The Blackberry Bars require a total baking time of 35 minutes, split between the crust and topping.

Can I use frozen blackberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute frozen blackberries, but thaw them and drain excess moisture first.

What’s the best way to store Blackberry Bars?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Can I substitute the brown sugar in the crust?

You can use white sugar or coconut sugar, but it may slightly alter the flavor and texture.

How do I know when the topping is done baking?

The topping is done when it turns golden brown, which typically takes about 20 minutes.

These answers should help clarify any cooking concerns before you start making your delicious Blackberry Bars!

Blackberry Bars

Deliciously sweet and tangy blackberry bars with a buttery oat crust, perfect for dessert or a snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats uncooked
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Blackberry Filling

• 2 cups fresh blackberries washed and stems removed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch to thicken
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

• ½ cup old-fashioned oats uncooked
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour sifted
• ¼ cup brown sugar packed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Method

 

Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking of the bars.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix until crumbly.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch baking pan. This forms the base of your bars.
4. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. This step helps to create a firm base that holds the filling.

Make the Blackberry Filling

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
2. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring gently until the blackberries start to break down and the mixture thickens. This creates a delicious, jam-like filling.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before spreading over the baked crust.

Prepare the Topping

1. In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon until crumbly.
2. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blackberry filling. This adds a delightful crunch to the bars.

Bake the Bars

1. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
2. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars. This helps the filling set up properly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

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